TTArtisan 11mm f/2.8

Physical Characteristics

Available Mounts: Canon R, Nikon Z, Sony E, Panasonic/Sigma/Leica L, Leica M
Lens type: Fisheye (Diagonal on full frame)
Focus type: Manual only
Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/16
Filter size: n/a
Dimensions (with caps on): 100mm high, 70mm wide
Height (from camera front to lens front; caps off): 82mm
Weight (with caps on): 546g / 1 lb. 3 oz.
Weight (with caps off): 502g / 1 lb. 2 oz.
Other: fixed metal lens shade

Star Tests

2 min. single exposure at f/2.8, ISO 1600, Canon EOS Ra, Bortle 3 sky.
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Same image at f/2.8 with 200% zoomed-in crop boxes showing star performance. Significant coma and loss of sharpness in corners. Some chromatic abberation. Open full-size image in new tab.

2 min. single exposure at f/3.5, ISO 1600, Canon EOS Ra, Bortle 3 sky.
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Same image at f/3.5 with 200% zoomed-in crop boxes showing star performance. Huge improvement in sharpness of stars in corners/edge. Still some chromatic abberation and coma, but not obtrusive. Open full-size image in new tab.

2 min. single exposure at f/4, ISO 1600, Canon EOS Ra, Bortle 3 sky.
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Same image at f/4 with 200% zoomed-in crop boxes showing star performance. Corner stars a bit sharper than at f/3.5. Still some chromatic abberation and coma, but not obtrusive. Open full-size image in new tab.

4 min. single exposure at f/4.5, ISO 1600, Canon EOS Ra, Bortle 3 sky.
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Same image at f/4.5 with 200% zoomed-in crop boxes showing star performance. Not much improvement to stars over f/4. Open full-size image in new tab.

4 min. single exposure at f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon EOS Ra, Bortle 3 sky.
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Same image at f/5.6 with 200% zoomed-in crop boxes showing star performance. Not much improvement to stars over f/4. Open full-size image in new tab.

Commentary

This lens shows great promise for astrophotography with excellent star tests, especially considering the low price. The TTArtisan 11mm f/2.8 is the first native RF lens I’ve tried on my Canon EOS Ra (all others have been EF-adapted lenses). As this is a lens designed for the shorter flange distance of newer mirrorless, full-frame cameras, it cannot be adapted to older DSLR bodies. This is major draw-back as many photographers have not yet made the switch to mirrorless, but inexpensive, excellent lenses like this one might convince some out there to try a newer mirrorless body. I found the sweet spot for this lens in terms of balancing photographic speed with star performance was around f/3.5 – f/4. I did not see large improvements in corner star shape past f/4. f/2.8 was fine at center, but very soft in the corners/edges.